New York City FC failed to maintain a two-goal edge in the club’s preseason finale against the Montreal Impact, settling for a 2-2 draw at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., Saturday night.
Captain David Villa scored in the 12th minute of the match, collecting a delicate through ball from Maxi Moralez and dazzling spectators with a deft chip over on-rushing Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush.
It was just the second NYCFC goal converted in the run of play out of four total goals in five preseason matches.
“I’m not really worried about the goals because we have players who can score goals,” NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira said after the match. “We created a few chances today.”
Among those observing the match were members of the New York Yankees, including Luis Cessa, Kyle Higashioka and Austin Romine – all taking respite from spring training duties with the Bronx Bombers, who share their home at Yankee Stadium with NYCFC.
The trio witnessed a bit of flare four minutes after halftime when Villa increased the lead for NYCFC. The former Barcelona winger connected on a brilliant set piece from 23 yards with a precise right-footed strike that dipped over the wall and to the right of Bush.
Jesus Medina, who replaced the retired Andrea Pirlo as NYCFC’s third designated player, was fouled on a deceptive cut-back to set up Villa’s gem.
50. @Guaje7Villa AGAIN!
Free kick = 🎯 #NYCFC pic.twitter.com/5K2B1l3lGs
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) February 24, 2018
Three minutes after the Villa strike, Algerian international Saphir Taider drove a left-footed shot from the top of the area that whizzed past NYCFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson and pulled the Impact within one.
NYCFC central defender Alexander Callens failed to close down Taidor on the well-placed arrow and later side-footed a ball that was picked off by Ignacio Piatti in the box. Piatti’s first touch angled right of goal, but the Impact captain managed to squeeze a shot past Johnson for the equalizer in the 53rd minute.
“We need to make less mistakes, we are giving away too many chances,” Vieira said. “Especially when we are defending in our own half.”
Other than a 5-2 win at Jacksonville University, NYCFC tied LAFC 1-1 and dropped three consecutive decisions to the L.A. Galaxy, 3-0, Mexican side Atlético de San Luis, 3-0, and Real Salt Lake, 2-1.
Three Things
- Villa takes set pieces — Villa scored two fantastic dead ball goals in the club’s inaugural 2015 season. However, when set-piece specialist Andrea Pirlo arrived in July, 2015 he claimed all free kicks. Pirlo managed a paltry one goal in two and a half seasons with the club. Villa’s free kick Saturday was Master Class. Medina should be next in line when a left-footed bender is more appropriate.
- Who else will score goals? Frank Lampard provided a 12-goal support system for Villa during his 2016 MVP season and the recently-departed Jack Harrison added comfort with 10 goals in 2017. While Medina is expected to contribute mightily to the attack, Libyan forward Ismael Tajouri may offer relief for Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer. Tajouri did not play on Saturday but has impressed in wide areas with a Harrison-like mentality. He scored on a penalty for the lone goal against RSL.
- Vieira prefers Medina on the right and Matarrita ahead of Sweat. The starting XI when the regular season commences at Sporting Kansas City on March 4 will likely mirror the first unit versus Montreal. If so, then Matarrita has supplanted Ben Sweat at left back. Vieira also chose to start left-footed Medina on the right wing and Rodney Wallace on the left. The reasoning could be two-fold — Medina enjoys dribbling centrally from the right flank to unleash his shots from the port side, and Vieira can attempt to reignite the relationship between Costa Rican national team mates Wallace and Matarrita.